Weekend matchups hold big playoff implications

TORONTO - After starting second semester on a winning note, the Ryerson Rams will take on the Queen’s Gaels and the Waterloo Warriors in two crucial matchups this upcoming weekend.

The Rams took a 3-0 win over the Windsor Lancers and a 1-0 shootout win over the Laurier Golden Hawks in their first two games of 2018 last weekend. Ryerson goaltender Rachel Seeley (Ottawa, Ont.) was named Ryerson’s Player of the Week and the OUA’s Player of the Week, receiving the double honour after earning herself back-to-back shutouts and stopping 43 of 43 shots across two games.

The dangerous yet streaky Rams power play sits back atop the league with a 21.9% conversion rate. Looking ahead, the best power play in the OUA will face off against the best penalty kill in the league on Saturday evening at the Mattamy Athletic Centre.

The Queen’s Gaels have a 95.8% PK on the season, sitting atop the league in more than one statistic. The Gaels rank eighth nationally and with an 8-3-1-2 record, also sit first in the OUA. The last time these two teams faced off, Queen’s took a 3-2 overtime victory over the Rams in Kingston. The Gaels have excelled in all areas of the ice this season, specifically in the defensive zone. With a 1.55 goals against average, Queen’s is one of the best defensive teams the league has to offer.

Sunday afternoon presents a tighter matchup against the Waterloo Warriors, though this game is important for different reasons. The Rams will be hosting their annual Do It For Daron (#DIFD) fundraising game, and the team encourages everyone in the community to show their support for mental health awareness by coming out to Sunday’s game at the Mattamy Athletic Centre at 2:15 pm.

The game will be a close matchup, as the Warriors are tied with the Rams in the standings at 22 points apiece. Three teams currently have 22 points, with the Rams sitting sixth, the Warriors sitting seventh and the Toronto Varsity Blues sitting eighth. A regulation win against the Warriors could be the difference between a playoff berth and a ninth-place finish at the end of the season.

Be sure to follow along with us on Twitter, @RyersonRams, using the hashtag #weRrams and watch the games live on OUA.tv.